The coveted Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023 list is out, and India has been made proud by four incredible bars that have ranked well on this list. Delhi’s Sidecar ranked at No.18, Mumbai’s The Bombay Canteen ranked at No.35, Bengaluru’s Copitas ranked at No.38 and Mumbai’s second entry, The Living Room by Masque, ranked at No.48.
Each of these four Indian bars are known for their innovative and delicious cocktails. And given that all of them have improved on their rankings since the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022 list, it wouldn’t be wrong to hope that these places will make a splash in the coming year as well. What’s more, it is incredibly clear that if you love your cocktails and drinks, then these are the top four places in India you must visit.
Want to know more about these top four Indian bars? Here’s more.
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Sidecar, Delhi
Established in 2018 by mixologist Yangdup Lama and Minakshi Singh, Sidecar is an artisanal cocktail bar located in Delhi’s posh Greater Kailash II. Lama and Singh are also the brains behind another award-winning bar called Cocktails & Dreams, Speakeasy. At Sidecar, the team refers to themselves as a bartenders’ bar, meaning that the bar team is behind not only creating its own in-house flavour extractions like bitters, syrups, grogs and tinctures, but also innovating cocktails based on well-sourced ingredients.
Split over two beautiful floors, Sidecar provides a library-like vibes on the ground floor for customers to enjoy books, varieties of teas and coffees during the daytime, and cocktails of course. The second floor houses a bar stocked with the in-house ingredients, craft cocktails and so much more. From spirit launches to cocktail tastings, everything interesting happens here. The kitchen, keeping pace with the bar, provides modern and global classics that are impeccably paired with the drinks.
The Bombay Canteen, Mumbai
With Sameer Seth and Yash Bhanage as its co-founders, The Bombay Canteen was opened in 2015 in South Mumbai’s posh Kamala Mills area. And all-day restaurant and bar, this place is just as famed for its food as it is for its craft cocktails and drinks. With Prantik Haldar as their Head of Beverage Innovations, the team at The Bombay Canteen blends infused spirits, bitters, shrubs and tonics of their own making to create brilliant drinks.
Copitas, Bengaluru
Housed within Bengaluru’s Four Seasons in Ganganagar, Copitas is the vibrant city’s leading cocktail bar and lounge. Located on the 21st floor of the hotel, Copitas provides a beautiful view of Bengaluru and attracts the city’s best with its in-house cocktails and food. Lead by Sarath Nair as the Beverage Manager, the team at Copitas creates simple infusions served with perfectly paired bar nibbles. The place opens at 5PM and with the Bengaluru skyline and uncomplicated drinks at hand, this is the perfect place to enjoy evenings in the city.
The Living Room by Masque, Mumbai
Formerly known as Upstairs, The Living Room is the rebranded bar by Mumbai’s famous Masque restaurant. Launched in 2021 with Ankush Gamre as their Beverage Manager and Winston Carvalho as their Mixologist, The Living Room is known for its incredibly well-crafted cocktails and bar nibbles. From sea buckthorn sourced locally to wild thyme from Ladakh, this place this famous for in-house innovations that play on Indian spices, fruits and more. Located in South Bombay’s Mahalakshmi area, The Living Room attracts a very nuanced crowd that understands their signature clear cocktails that are well-balanced and chilled to perfection.